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Art and Exhibitions

THIS MONTH’S EXHIBIT:

The Art of Zhanna Pekelis – Watercolor and Crochet

At Needham Free Public Library – June 3 – July 15, 2025
01. Zhanna Pekelis - Bee Eater
02. Zhanna Pekelis - Bee Eater on a branch
03. Zhanna Pekelis - Blue Jay
04. Zhanna Pekelis - Indigo Bunting
05. Zhanna Pekelis - Two Bee Eaters
27. Zhanna Pekelis - Novgorod, Russia
06. Zhanna Pekelis - Two Macaw parrots
07. Zhanna Pekelis - Sulphur-crested Cockatoo portrait
08. Zhanna Pekielis - White Cockatoo under on a tree branch
25. Zhanna Pekelis - Kostroma, Russia
29. Zhanna Pekelis - Zeus
26. Zhanna Pekelis - Novgorod Kremlin, Russia
28. Zhanna Pekelis - St. Petersburg Russia
09. Zhanna Pekelis - Pink Cockatoo in the mist
10. Zhanna Pekelis - Two Pink Cockatoos
13. Zhanna Pekelis - Willie Wagtail
14. Zhanna Pekelis - Flying Owl
15. Zhanna Pekelis - Little Owl
16. Zhanna Pekelis - Flying Puffin
17. Zhanna Pekelis - Puffin standing on a rock
18. Zhanna Pekelis - Kookaburra
11. Zhanna Pekelis - Little Hummingbird on a branch
19. Zhanna Pekelis - Red Cardinal
22. Zhanna Pekelis - Red Rose
21. Zhanna Pekelis - Red Tulips
23. Zhanna Pekelis - Yellow Tulip
24. Zhanna Pekelis - Sea Shell from Jamaica
Zhanna Pekelis - Bunny
Zhanna Pekelis - Big Pinguin
Zhanna Pekelis - Xmas Santa
Zhanna Pekelis - Xmas Elf Tall
Zhanna Pekelis - Unicorn Bobby
Zhanna Pekelis - Giraffe
Zhanna Pekelis - Hedda
Zhanna Pekelis - Henni
Zhanna Pekelis - Mouse Diddle
Zhanna Pekelis - Purple Pouch
Zhanna Pekelis - Three Christmas Elfs
Zhanna Pekelis - Crocodile Kaan
Zhanna Pekelis - Cat with beret
Zhanna Peklelis - Cat in a hat
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Contact: zhpekelis@gmail.com

Website: etsy.com/shop/ZhannaPekelisArt

The Art of Zhanna Pekelis – Watercolor and Crochet

June 3 – July 15, 2025

Artist Statement

Zhanna Pekelis is a longtime Needham resident, where she lives with her husband and two sons. Originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, Zhanna and her family immigrated to the United States as refugees in the early 1990s, fleeing the antisemitism of the former Soviet Union.
Zhanna studied Architectural Engineering at the St. Petersburg University of Civil Engineers, where she received formal training in drawing, watercolor, and sculpture. Her foundational art education began even earlier at a specialized preparatory school focused on classical techniques—skills that continue to inform her current work.
After settling in the Boston area, Zhanna earned a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Wentworth Institute of Technology. She has worked in construction administration and has served for over a decade as a Project Manager at the Massachusetts School Building Authority.
While raising her children, Zhanna took a long pause from painting. Now that they are grown, she has returned to her lifelong passion for watercolor. Inspired by the natural world and the subtle interplay of light and shadow, her recent work focuses on birds and flowers—subjects she finds both beautiful and challenging.
Zhanna draws from a wide range of photographic references, including her own photos, those taken by her husband, Lev Bass, and the work of other nature photographers. She particularly admires the bird photography of Roger Fance. Her artistic style combines realistic detail with minimalist backgrounds, ensuring each subject captures the viewer’s full attention.
In addition to painting, Zhanna enjoys crocheting whimsical amigurumi toys, which she loves to give to family and friends.
She is honored to share her work with the Needham community and hopes it brings a sense of joy and appreciation for the natural beauty that surrounds us.
Prints of her original watercolor paintings are available for purchase on Etsy. All prints are professionally produced using top-tier printing services on 100% cotton cold-press watercolor paper. At 300gsm and 19.5 mil thickness, the paper has a luxurious, substantial feel. Its textured surface enhances the watercolor effect, adding depth and richness to each piece.


Please complete and submit an application. It may be found by clicking on the link above. The application must be returned to Gay Ellen Dennett, along with an example of the work (website, photos, thumbdrive with artwork on it, etc) for consideration by the Art Committee. For further inquiries, please contact Gay Ellen Dennett at 781-455-7559 x 223.

Art Gallery Forms (PDF)